A mobile device can be configured as a base station to be used by other mobile devices and non-mobile devices to gain access to network services. The mobile device can be configured to provide and manage secure access to variety of networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax, Internet, cellular) and network services (e.g., map services, web services, syncing services).
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A mobile device comprising: a processor; a storage device coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to configure the mobile device to be an access point for a wireless network; and a communication interface coupled to the processor and operable for receiving an access request from a first requesting device, and for coupling the first requesting device to the wireless network in response to the access request; where the instructions, when executed by the processor, are further operable to cause the processor to lock down the mobile device to prevent access to the wireless network by a second requesting device based on a number of devices currently coupled to the wireless network through the mobile device, based on a location of the mobile device, or based on a time of the access request.
A mobile device, acting as a portable base station, allows other devices to connect to a wireless network. The mobile device's processor runs software that configures it as a Wi-Fi access point. Other devices can request to connect, and the mobile device grants access. To manage network access, the mobile device can block new devices from connecting based on: the number of devices already connected, the mobile device's current location, or the time of the connection request. This allows control over who and when devices can use the mobile device as a hotspot.
2. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the mobile device includes a multi-touch-sensitive display.
The mobile device acting as a portable base station from the previous description also has a multi-touch sensitive display. This display allows the user to interact with the device and manage the hotspot features using touch gestures.
3. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the mobile device includes a telephony application.
The mobile device acting as a portable base station from the initial description also includes a telephony application. This means the device can function as a regular phone while simultaneously acting as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.
4. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the wireless network is a cellular network.
In the mobile device acting as a portable base station, the wireless network that the mobile device shares can be a cellular network. This means the mobile device can share its cellular data connection with other devices via Wi-Fi.
5. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the processor is operable to authenticate the requesting device.
The mobile device acting as a portable base station authenticates devices requesting access to the wireless network. This means the mobile device verifies the identity of the requesting device before allowing it to connect to the network.
6. The mobile device of claim 5 , where the requesting device is authenticated using one from the group of wireless security protocols consisting of: wired equivalent privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or WPA2.
In the mobile device acting as a portable base station, the authentication of requesting devices uses wireless security protocols like WEP, WPA, or WPA2. These protocols ensure secure access and prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to the mobile device's hotspot.
7. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the processor is operable to set up a secure communication session for the requesting device.
The mobile device, configured as a base station, sets up a secure communication session for each device that connects to its wireless network. This includes encrypting the data transmitted between the mobile device and the connected device, ensuring privacy and security of the connection.
8. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the wireless network is from a group of wireless networks consisting of wireless local area networks (WLAN), Bluetooth® networks, radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), mobile ad-hoc networks (MANets) or mobile phone networks.
The mobile device acting as a portable base station can share various types of wireless networks, including: WLAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, RAN (Radio Access Networks), MAN (Metropolitan Area Networks), WAN (Wide Area Networks), MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Networks), or mobile phone networks. This flexibility allows it to act as a versatile connectivity hub.
9. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the processor is operable to search for available wireless networks in a vicinity of the mobile device.
The mobile device acting as a portable base station can scan for available wireless networks in its vicinity. This feature enables the mobile device to identify and connect to existing networks and then re-broadcast that connection to other devices.
10. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the mobile device can be configured as a base station at home or in another location, where the mobile device can be configured in a first user-settable configuration with one or more first network settings at home and configured in a second user-settable configuration with one or more second network settings in another location, and where the first and second user-settable configurations can be simultaneously stored in the storage device.
The mobile device acting as a portable base station can be configured with different settings for different locations, like home or another location. It saves these configurations, so you can have one set of network settings for home and another for when you are away. These different settings are stored simultaneously, allowing easy switching between them.
11. The mobile device of claim 1 , where the mobile device includes a first native function as a phone and where the mobile device is further configured to be an access point.
The mobile device is a phone with standard phone functionality and it is also configured to act as a wireless access point. This means it can perform normal phone tasks while simultaneously providing a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.
12. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is locked down based on the number of devices currently coupled to the wireless network through the mobile device.
In the mobile device acting as a portable base station, access to the wireless network is restricted when the number of devices connected reaches a certain limit. This prevents overloading the mobile device's resources and ensures a stable connection for existing users.
13. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is locked down based on the location of the mobile device.
In the mobile device acting as a portable base station, access to the wireless network is restricted based on its location. This can be used to disable the hotspot feature in certain areas or only allow access in pre-defined safe zones.
14. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is locked down based on the time of the access request.
In the mobile device acting as a portable base station, access to the wireless network is restricted based on the time of day or week. This feature allows for scheduling when the hotspot is available for use, such as disabling it during nighttime hours.
15. A method comprising: configuring a mobile device to be an access point for a wireless network; receiving, at the mobile device, an access request from a first requesting device; coupling, by the mobile device, the first requesting device to the wireless network in response to the access request; and locking down the mobile device to prevent access to the wireless network by a second requesting device based on a number of devices currently coupled to the wireless network through the mobile device, based on a location of the mobile device, or based on a time of the access request.
A mobile device can act as a portable wireless hotspot. The mobile device configures itself to be a Wi-Fi access point, receives connection requests from other devices, and allows them to connect to the wireless network. The mobile device can restrict access to the network for new devices based on: the current number of connected devices, the mobile device's location, or the time of the connection request.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: authenticating the requesting device.
The method of a mobile device acting as a portable base station also involves authenticating the device requesting access to the wireless network. This verification step ensures that only authorized devices can connect to the mobile device's hotspot.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: setting up a secure communication session for the requesting device.
The method for the mobile device acting as a portable base station also involves setting up a secure, encrypted communication session for each connected device. This ensures the privacy and security of the data transmitted over the hotspot connection.
18. The method of claim 15 , where configuring further comprises: searching for the wireless network in a vicinity of the mobile device; and if a network is available, configuring the mobile device to be an access point for the wireless network.
When configuring the mobile device to act as a portable base station, the method involves scanning for available wireless networks nearby. If a network is found, the mobile device can connect to it and then rebroadcast that connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.
19. The method of claim 15 , where configuring the mobile device further comprises: configuring the mobile device as a base station at home or in another location, where the mobile device can be configured in a first user-settable configuration with one or more first network settings at home and configured in a second user-settable configuration with one or more second network settings in another location, and where the first and second user-settable configurations can be simultaneously stored in the storage device.
When configuring the mobile device as a portable base station, the method includes setting it up with different configurations for different locations, like home or another location. It saves these configurations, with one set of network settings for home and another for when you are away. These settings are stored simultaneously, allowing easy switching between them based on the user's location.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
January 2, 2008
June 11, 2013
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